In San Antonio's South Side, two Democrats are squaring off to challenge Republican incumbent John Lujan in Texas' House District 118, a battleground that's evenly split politically. Carlos Quezada, a former district court judge, and Kristian Carranza, a former Democratic National Committee territory manager, are the front-runners looking to capitalize on their local roots and political experience.
Quezada, 42, has touted his experience as a judge and his ties to the community, having grown up in the district and worked his way through law school. He has already gathered endorsements from local political figures like former County Judge Nelson Wolff and Commissioner Tommy Calvert, according to the San Antonio Report. Carranza, 33, emphasizes a bold progressive agenda that includes climate change mitigation and fighting discriminatory policies, earning the backing of figures like civil rights leader Rosie Castro and Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez.
Both Democratic hopefuls are up against the Lujan juggernaut, who scored 52% of the vote in 2022 and raised $130,000 in the latter half of 2023. This financial muscle allows Lujan to run campaign ads even without a GOP primary opponent. Carranza, in response, raised $70,000, while Quezada collected $21,000 in the same period.
The primary race in this district, where President Joe Biden would have won by about 3 points, is not just about candidacy but also about representing a deeply divided Democratic base. Party members are split on whether to maintain alliances or to take on the state's conservative social agenda. Quezada said, "I'll represent the Democrats and my democratic values, but I understand that [the district] is now almost a 50-50 split" between Republicans and Democrats, in a statement obtained by the San Antonio Report.
Despite the tough competition, neither Quezada nor Carranza has shied away from focusing on vital district issues. Quezada is driven by his experience in juvenile justice and public education, with his wife being an educator, while Carranza is propelled by her Mother’s struggle with chronic illness, championing healthcare reform and Medicaid expansion.
While Lujan has strived to strengthen a Republican base in traditionally Democratic terrains, the Democrats have their work cut out for them as they brace for whichever candidate makes it out of the March 5 primary. Both Quezada and Carranza are approaching this race with their distinct strategies and insights, hoping to reclaim a district once held by their party – creating a political spectacle that puts House District 118 at the center stage of Texas politics.
